24 Documentaries on LGBTQ
The LGBTQ community has been facing several struggles and challenges over the years. While some countries have legalized same-sex marriage and celebrate Pride parades, there are still many problems that need to be addressed. Documentaries have played a critical role in raising awareness about the issues faced by the LGBTQ community. They explore crucial topics like homophobia, transphobia, and other similar issues.
The documentaries provide a platform to showcase real-life experiences of the LGBTQ community, which helps in educating and sensitizing people. In this blog, we will discuss the top 24 documentaries that you need to watch to understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.
1. A Secret Love (2020)
"A Secret Love" narrates the profound, personal story of Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, two women that came out much later in life. The movie is touching, full of historical triumphs, and reveals the striking reality of discrimination against LGBTQ+ in the '50s and '60s. This documentary shows how their relationship engendered better recognition from their beloved family in their advanced years, just as they needed it most.
A Secret Love on Factual America
2. How to Survive a Plague (2012)
How to Survive a Plague takes us through the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. It follows the efforts of groups like ACT UP and TAG to bring attention to the issue and advocate for drug development, which helped in saving lives.
The documentary showcases how these groups united, fought against the stigma, and helped fundraise for research, which finally led to the development of life-saving drugs that changed the face of the epidemic.
👉 Watch How to Survive a Plague on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy How to Survive a Plague as DVD on Amazon
3. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson is a documentary that follows the story of Marsha P. Johnson, a leading figure in the LGBTQ rights movement.
The documentary covers her life, her activism, and the devastating circumstances surrounding her death. Through her story, the documentary highlights the discrimination and fear the LGBTQ community experienced in the past and still experience today.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson on IMDb
4. The Celluloid Closet (1995)
The Celluloid Closet explores the portrayal of homosexuality in Hollywood films from the 1930s to the present day. Based on the book by Vito Russo, this documentary examines how movies have portrayed the LGBTQ+ community throughout history.
It showcases the lives of LGBTQ characters in famous movies like “Gone with the Wind,” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” and how they were instrumental in shaping society's stereotypes and attitudes towards the community.
👉 Watch The Celluloid Closet on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy The Celluloid Closet as DVD on Amazon
5. For They Know Not What They Do (2019)
For They Know Not What They Do is a film that explores the stories of four families with LGBTQ children. It showcases the struggles, challenges, and joys that these families experience while raising children who identify as LGBTQ+.
The documentary highlights the importance of family understanding and support for LGBTQ+ individuals through the personal stories of the families.
👉 Watch For They Know Not What They Do on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy For They Know Not What They Do as DVD on Amazon
6. Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay (2020)
The highly acclaimed British singer and actor, Olly Alexander, presents this must-watch BBC documentary on his personal coming out journey. The documentary provides a rare look into the pop star's experiences as he discusses coming out to his family and becoming an advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay on IMDb
7. Defiance: Voices of a New Generation (2020)
Defiance: Voices of a New Generation is a documentary that highlights the voices of young LGBTQ activists from around the world who are using their stories as fuel for change. The film follows them as they fight for their rights and create a world where everyone is accepted, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity is.
Defiance: Voices of a New Generation on IMDb
8. Free Cece (2016)
The most riveting aspect of this documentary is that it highlights the story of Cece McDonald, a transgender woman who was sentenced to a men's prison for defending herself from a transphobic attack. It also addresses the difficulties that transgender women typically face while incarcerated and the immense human rights violations that they encounter during that time.
👉 Watch Free Cece on Amazon Prime
9. Are You Proud? (2019)
Are You Proud? explores the LGBT+ movement in the UK from the late 1960s to the present day. The documentary features interviews from various LGBTQ activists, politicians, and celebrities on the events that have taken place over the past century, including the Stonewall riots in 1969, and the current progress of LGBTQ rights.
👉 Watch Are You Proud? on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Are You Proud? as DVD on Amazon
10. Disclosure (2020)
Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen is a ground-breaking documentary that places Hollywood's depiction of trans individuals under the microscope. The documentary examines how trans representation, including the portrayal of trans people in film and TV, has impacted how people view and treat trans individuals.
👉 Watch Disclosure on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Disclosure as DVD on Amazon
11. State of Pride (2019)
This documentary is a powerful representation of the pride parade and its significance in the LGBTQ community. It highlights interviews with people who participated in the parade, the history and importance of the parade to the community, and how it acts as a means for the community to connect, share stories, and celebrate their identity.
The documentary is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the importance of the pride parade.
12. Kiki (2016)
Kiki is a documentary that highlights the ball scene, a LGBTQ subculture that started in the 1920s. It focuses on the contemporary ball scene, its role in the community, and how it provides a safe space for queer youth of color.
The documentary goes beyond the concept of dancing and voguing, it is about understanding how identities are formed and finding a community that supports and celebrates those identities.
13. L Word Mississippi: Hate the Sin (2014)
This documentary is a critical representation of the LGBTQ community in the southern United States. It highlights the struggles faced by the community in accepting their sexuality while dealing with religious or societal pressure to conform to heteronormative standards.
The documentary is a raw and real portrayal of the challenges that the community confronts, and it shines a much-needed light on their resilience.
👉 Watch L Word Mississippi: Hate the Sin on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy L Word Mississippi: Hate the Sin as DVD on Amazon
15. Trembling Before G-d (2001)
This documentary is an emotional portrayal that takes a closer look at the issue of being both orthodox Jewish and gay.
The documentary focuses on six people who identify as gay or lesbian and orthodox Jews. They share their stories, the conflicts they face, and the impact it has on their faith. The documentary is a powerful representation of how people reconcile their sexuality with deeply held religious beliefs.
👉 Watch Trembling Before G-d on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Trembling Before G-d as DVD on Amazon
16. Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community (1984)
This documentary is a significant representation of LGBTQ history. It goes back to the time before the Stonewall riots of 1969, and how the community was invisible, marginalized, and often criminalized.
It highlights the efforts of activists, drag queens, and other prominent figures who fought for LGBTQ rights and how the Stonewall riots marked a significant turning point in the community's journey towards equality.
👉 Buy Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community as DVD on Amazon
17. Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (2014)
The tragic murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay college student from Wyoming, shocked the world in 1998.
This documentary is an intimate portrayal of Shepard's life and how his death has impacted his friends and family. Director Michele Josue carefully examines the violence and homophobia in America and how it is still affecting people today.
👉 Watch Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine as DVD on Amazon
18. Circus of Books (2019)
Rachel Mason's documentary is a personal and emotional odyssey that explores the unlikely legacy of a family that operated one of the few remaining bookstores for gay pornography in the heart of Los Angeles.
The film explores questions about sexuality, the morality of pornography, and the stigma associated with it.
Circus of Books (2019) on IMDb
19. Call Her Ganda (2018)
This documentary by PJ Raval is about Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, who was killed by a US marine stationed in the Philippines.
The film follows her family as they fight for justice for her murder, and it touches on themes of colonialism, LGBTQ rights, and the intersectionality of identities. It is a heartbreaking story of a human tragedy due to ignorance and hate.
👉 Watch Call Her Ganda on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Call Her Ganda as DVD on Amazon
20. Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts (2019)
Trixie Mattel is a pop culture icon, a drag queen, and the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. The documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Brian Firkus, Trixie's true identity, and their journey in the music and drag world.
This is a funny, vulnerable and inspiring film that shows how Firkus dealt with challenges, rejection and ultimately succeeded in his dream.
👉 Watch Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts on Amazon Prime
21. We Were Here (2011)
David Weissman's "We Were Here" documents the AIDS calamity that decimated San Francisco's gay community in the '80s and '90s.
The documentary showcases how San Francisco's resurgence was aided by the extraordinary compassion and creativity of the city's LGBTQ+ community towards each other. The movie uses incredible stories to discuss how solidarity prevailed amidst loneliness and the epidemic's uncertainty.
👉 Watch We Were Here on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy We Were Here as DVD on Amazon
22. Kumu Hina (2014)
Director Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer's Kumu Hina highlight Hina Wong-Kalu, a native Hawaiian trans woman and revered mahu.
Throughout the movie, she shares her wisdom and convictions about sex, gender, culture, and her drive to help her Akaka Falls Middle School students find their identity in a transgender-affirming environment. Kumu Hina is a compelling and irresistible movie that challenges prevailing social norms.
👉 Watch Kumu Hina on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Kumu Hina as DVD on Amazon
23. Queer Japan (2019)
Queer Japan, produced and directed by Graham Kolbeins, is a well-timed documentary that offers a look into the everyday lives of many LGBTQ+ in Japan.
The documentary offers an interesting and critical analysis portraying different aspects of Japan's culture from burlesque shows, anime and manga to the existential performance art- all explored in the backdrop of socially stigmatized LGBTQ+ individuals.
👉 Watch Queer Japan on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Queer Japan as DVD on Amazon
24. Paris is Burning (1990)
Paris is Burning highlights the lives of African American and Latino gay and transgender individuals living in New York City in the 80s. It explores the drag ball culture and the various categories of the competitions including realness, voguing, and fashion.
Through their amazing performances in the ball competitions, the film highlights the dreams, aspirations, and hardships of these individuals. The documentary broke barriers and ensured that the lives of these individuals are noticed and celebrated.
👉 Watch Paris is Burning on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Paris is Burning as DVD on Amazon
Conclusion
These five documentaries highlight various aspects of the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. Each provides insight into the challenges faced by the community and educates us on the importance of acceptance and equality. They showcase how much the community experienced and how much it has changed over the years.
These films are not just informative, but also inspiring and thought-provoking. We should all take time to watch and understand these documentaries to create a world that is more inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
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